Thought I had today...how many teams would PH for SP after 6 innings, 0 runs, and 92 pitches?

A few more might do it because it's so early, but remember, the Brewers are very conservative with their SP's pitch counts. Remember that Mets' SP that had surgery had far more high pitch starts than the entire Brewers' rotation.

I don't begrudge anyone their success or wealth, so it never made any difference to me. However, for those looking to "spread the wealth"....confiscating wealth has appeal.

As I discussed last week, I was 25 and debt free, with $15K or more in mutual funds. Then, the Rambling wife (then the Rambling girlfriend) had a year or unpaid internships, including a semester in which we paid two rents on one income. Charles Givens was a financial guru who suggested you put away 10% of your income, and simply refuse to touch it, even in an emergency. Do your best to stay out of debt, and when you failed, pay off debt early. If we would have followed that advice, assuming we averaged $35K for fifteen years, that's about $50K plus the $15K, with an average of 5% growth, it'd probably be well over $100K, maybe $150K.

Just amazing that despite all those scouting reports, all the videotape, and so; they still miss KRod's changeup by a good foot

Years ago, before he ever pitched for MIL, I suggested that most hitters would be better off just taking every pitch versus Frankie, as he rarely throws three pitchers in the strike zone before he throws four out of it. That may be the smartest thing I've ever said.

Spent part of the afternoon taking a look at what folks are projecting the Brewers for in '14. Here's a recap:

1. Almost everyone picks the NL Central the same; SL, PIT, CIN, MIL, Cubs. Why? Because that's how they finished last year.

2. Almost everyone predicts the Brewers will win between 71 and 89 games. Most were in the 77-85 range. Considering that if a team has 81 game talent, they could easily win anywhere from 75-87 wins, depending on injuries, luck, and a player or two having a breakout/down season.

As is often the case, the law of large numbers is usually pretty accurate. The over/unders Vegas and online sportbooks have for the Brewers are also in the 79-81 range...one thing to remember with them is, they realize there are a few games each season that are not made up, so "under" tends to win about 55% of the time.

I would have them in that 85 victory range, and hope they can sneak into that 86-88 win range, where playoff contention lives.

BUMPED:

Al, Just
a nit… It’s very rare that games are not made up anymore due to the
loss of gate revenue. Over the last five years there have only been two
scheduled games not played – same as the number of 1-game playoffs
which also count as regular season games. Scott

Well, what we have in the oven would be the easiest answer. But in reality, we "roast" meat and veggies, while we "bake" bread, cookies, meatloaf, and so on.

It's very similar to a muffin and a cupcake...they are almost identical, ingredient wise, with minor differences in size and presntation, but if you let your five year old eat a cupcake for breakfast, Social Services will be all over your butt. A muffin...well, carry on, you parent of the year nominee you.

Just don't let them eat any bacon and eggs, as that's awful (or, probably by far the best choice, one or the other).

Glenn worries about another mini Ice Age, apparently not realizing global warming is obviously on it's way...because after all, it's a half a degree warmer than it was a century ago...but a fraction of a degree colder than it was in 1970.

Of course, if you pay attention, you'll notice the only people falsifying data fibbing are those who hope to enrich themselves from the uneducated rubes' panic.

Just found out the Brewers will play Saturday afternoon if the Red Sox Friday home opener has to be canceled due to weather. BOS scheduled the second game Saturday night so they had a "backup" Saturday afternoon.

Someone compiled all the negative posts from a message board during the streak in which the Badgers lost five of six...lesson, you're never as good as you think you are when things are going good, and you're never as bad as you think you are when things are going bad.

And most of all...never post the sky is falling right before Bo makes it to the Final Four. No one will listen to a thought you have the rest of your life. Ramblings has been around a dozen years, and I've made bad predictions, but I'm never embarrassed myself like the following.

Enjoy.

Wisconsin just isn't very good. No more than a jump shooting team that can't rebound or play defense. - mcx99

The wheels have fallen off. The Badgers, like the Buckeyes, have been exposed as frauds. Look for the struggles to continue. - mcx99

This team has serious issues. 22 wins? No way. 20 wins at best. - mcx99

I
see us winning one road game the rest of the way. Hopefully hold serve
at home and finish at 9 and 9. Get a nice 8 seed and lose the first game
because we're not at home. - Spdude

Think
10-8 in big ten will be likely. . Losses likely at Iowa at michigan and
at home verse MSU based on the garbage they put out today. Likely will
drop another two as well. - uwbadger23

UW gave up 34pts in the first half and 47 in the second. This team will finish 9th in the big ten. - badgerben

I
would not even vote this team in the top 50 at this point. They have
been exposed for what they are, a very lazy and soft team. - pjearl

Sad to say that I do not think this team will win a road game! - bajjerfan

22 wins over the course of the season seems impossible, not just for league play. - hoopz247

Bo Ryan might make his first ever final 4… in the NIT - hoopz247

IMO Bo has took the Badgers as high as he can and now it's somebody else's time to sit the sidelines. - hoopz247

NIT
for this team. Another 1 and done in the NCAA if they make it. It's
time to start looking for Ryan's replacement. Hint: Get somebody who can
recruit. IE Stu Jackson. -12PackWorldChamps

This
mess won't make the tournament. Haven't sat through anything this bad
since their many NCAA tournament bombs. Remember the 32-point
"clinic"? And others. Embarrassing. - Omahabadger

Know
this will get folks in an uproar, but here goes. Anyone else sick of
Coach Ryan's teams' incredible poor games that crop up with repeat
frequency over the years? It's not only that they lose, but that they
are so incredibly bad in so many of these games. More than 12 minutes
without a field goal tonight -- at home against Northwestern? You have
to be trying to do that bad. I for one am tired of it. Last UW MBB
game I'm enduring this season. I am a Wis. fan and donor but can't keep
supporting this repeated boring stuff. Good luck Badgers rest
of season, but it will not be with me on board. - Omahabadger

Amen.
This guy will bring only in more duds. Only way to get attention is to
not buy tickets and not make donations to the programs. Money alone
talks. I've written my last check to Wis athletics for the forseeable
future. Many more productive and worthy things to donate to. - Omahabadger

I
have to say I have lost faith in Bo Ryan. Out of a time out and you
cannot even draw up a play. Are you telling me that you spent that whole
timeout telling Jackson that he is supposed to win the game one on one
against the best defender in the Big Ten. I have always has my doubts
about Bo Ryan coaching in game situations and at times players have
bailed him out. He has lost this team and you can see by body
expressions from guys like Dekker, Kaminsky, Jackson, and Koenig that
they have no clue what Ryan wants or expects or when they are going to
be pulled out. - DocWrestling

I
don't think this is a team. It's a collection of players. Players
make a team. I don't care if they all like each other all the time, so
long as they "get it" on the floor. - PEBadger

Last year's
team was far superior to this year's collection of players. If Bo has
"lost" this group, it's because this group never completely bought in in
the first place. All the talk about changing the culture before the
year tells you that. They simply don't understand what it takes to win
as a group. Given Bo's track record of getting teams to come together,
I'm putting my finger on this group of players simply not getting it,
for whatever reason. People bitched about Bruiser and Evans and
Berggren last year, but those guys were part of a long line of UW
players who "got it" and understood what it took and what it meant to
win at UW. Those guys were all great HS players coming in, but they
subordinated themselves to the greater effort. I don't see any of that
with this group. When things were going great they were fine. But they
have nothing to fall back on in terms of togetherness when it's not. - PEBadger

Bo has been hitting snooze all year - Panama74

I
think this whole team has lost something and that includes the coaches.
No edge from the players or coaches... Something is not clicking. - badgerjess

It
definitely looks like he's lost this team. All we heard during the
winning streak was about how tight this team is, living together, doing
everything together. Well, they're all playing like sh1t together right
now. – RuckerPark

It
is very on Bo. He has not developed leadership on this Team. It shows.
And as most of you know, leadership most often comes in b-ball comes
from the point guard. He is the quarterback. He is responsible for
getting the ball to the right people in the right places at the right
times. Chemistry starts with the PG. And I am sorry, Bo has allowed TJ
to try to play that role, and it is an abysmal failure. And Bo won't
switch, or do anything different. To boot, he has helped kill the
confidence of his best player. – Wannagesha

I
think it's fair to say Bo and his staff have, or nearly have,
completely lost touch with this team. Both the coaching staff and the
players look lost and completely out of touch with the game,
particularly at the most critical times. I'm a fan of Bo Ryan's and I
want him to do well. Afterall, who wouldn't? Having said this, to deny
that there are serious problems right now with his staff and this team,
is to be in denial of the obvious and would indicate an inability to
reconcile with reality. - TheWiscoKid

No
leadership, horrible late game possessions time and time again. It's
not good, and it's not going to get any better anytime soon. - nbajam

It's
never over until it's over but this admittedly looks a lot like season
over, at least in terms of doing anything noteworthy. This team is truly
worthless. - MUnertl

I said before the season three guards wouldn't work in conference play and that has proven correct.- MUnertl

Bo
didn't build this program, he built upon it, but that upper level is
crumbling, and if the erosion continues happening this year, at the end
there should be a Shaka put into it so it can be rebuilt –goldenbernsy

Hopefully
Bo steps aside as classily as Mack Brown did, admitting he's not as
good at coming up with new ideas as before, so it's time for somebody
fresh. – goldenbernsy

I would like to see somebody younger and a better recruiter take over. Give Bo the gold watch and move on. - 911sfan

I listen to the TBS crew talk about these national basketball
programs are really concerned about turning boys into men. The point
guard from Florida was suspended then brought back for another chance,
now is in the Final Four. Isn't it funny how the kids that give you the
best chance to win are always the kids that get another chance. For
these clowns to sit on TV and say that this has something to do with
personal development is just sad. It always was and always will be about
winning. What's wrong with just saying that?!!!!!

Casey

Same reason no one ever wins a game because they hit lucky shots. It's always deeper than that...even when it isn't.

I'm torn on who to root for, and shocked to see Kentucky is a 2.5 point favorite.

Kentucky is vastly talented, but while they are athletic and long; it seems like they could well be a team that the Badgers could break down, just as they did Baylor. And while Michigan is also a very talented team, we know the Badgers can beat them; but we also know the Wolverines are playing great basketball right now.

A big part of me thinks Kentucky might get flustered, turn the ball over, and jack up 3's and other low percentage shots. That said, they're good enough to hit them. If someone told me WI loses their next contest by 20, I'd immediately think, "Well, Kentucky must play a great game."

I also always root for the Big Ten, even if I don't care for the team...and admittedly, I have nothing against Michigan (or Michigan State, who I think will destroy UConn). So, I feel odd even thinking about it. But, you know what? I'd love to have an easy game in the Final Four. I just think the Wildcats have the best chance to lay an egg...but like most young, talented groups, their ceiling is immensely high.

So happy for Bo Ryan and this group of young men. Many had to wait
until he made a Final Four to validate his skills, but please, 13
tournaments in 13 years at a school that made it 6 times in a century?

It wasn't good coaching that made the Zona player hang onto the ball a
fraction of a second too long (and he missed the shot anyway). He wins,
his players stay out of trouble, and he runs a clean program.

And I'll say it again, better lucky than good. They showed that offensive foul with 3.2 seconds left several times, and while I'm sure there was some contact, a no call would have been my decision...and let's be honest, we're just fortunate it wasn't labeled a "blocking foul," as was the case all evening...how dare they try and defend?

As someone who has seen just about every game all season...I know I watched a couple on the computer that were not televised, it's been a heckuva ride. Proud to be a Badgers' basketball fan.

The Badgers haven't appeared "tight" all year, and they won't be next week. For whatever reason, the Final Four is almost bigger than the game itself. They're a group who doesn't seem to care at all who scores or who plays. Particularly loved the fact Ben Brust never forced a shot all night.

Kudos to ARI, who had a fine game plan, but didn't have an answer for Frank.

Coach Drew on Ramon Sessions: He's come into this thing and embraced this team and the organization.--Fox

I missed Sessions since he left and love having him back. I love the way he gets to the line, drives fearlessly and either shoots or dishes, and plays decent defense at either the 1 or the 2. He's not a star, but he's a very nice 3rd guard, or maybe a 4th guard on a top team.
He'll be a FA after the season, so I doubt he returns, but I sure hope he does.

...see, Colbert can make a racist statement, because he's a liberal making fun of conservatives. See, when he does something offensive, it's his way of slamming those nasty fools who feel national security is important, fiscal discipline is a good thing, and who are patriotic (cretins and derelicts, one and all).

...However, if I would say that, it is considered abhorrently offensive, because all conservatives are naturally racist, because we believe in the best person for the job, regardless of color, gender, or other stuff. Idiots, I know.

Saved $29.70 on $79.35 worth of groceries at the Capitalist Empire today. Paid just under $50 for almost $80 worth of stuff.

Why yes, I am cheap...especially on stuff I was going to buy anyway. The best part, was paying $6.88 for 200 Aleve...which admittedly, I've been downing like candy since hurting my back about ten days ago. Walgreens had it on sale a couple weeks ago, but they had some sort of rebate...oh well, whatever. Even the store brand was $11.

And that may be one of the cheapest weekly trips we've had in ages...it pays when the Rambling son is off to spend part of his spring break with the Rambling in laws.

Microwave sales are also down because everyone owns one...and in many cases, 2-3 (one in the family room, or garage, or mancave). For years, CD sales were booming...because everyone was replacing their old cassettes. Then, they didn't need to, and sales fell precipitously, and folks thought music was dead.

Al - my employer sponsors an
Earth Hour counter-event called Human Achievement Hour that might be
more up your alley. You can even celebrate by watching the Badgers game.
Here's a Washington Post writeup, including a one-minute YouTube video
we made.Here's hoping the Brewers stay healthy. It'll be a good year if
they do. I still think the Cardinals will win the division, but that's why we have the wild cards.

-Ryan

FYI. By the way, that article mentions several things I have discussed here...Bill Gates on how the world almost has no poverty remaining, and we are in an almost war free stretch of time.

Yet the left...never ones to allow the truth to get in the way of a fictional crisis, insists we need tons more welfare programs here in the USA...one of the wealthiest nations in the history of the planet; and that war is going on everywhere, and will soon spread to our military if we fail to keep electing former hippies and peaceniks.

Saw that Jason Rogers and Sean Halton have been playing 3B in minor league games in Arizona. Both could increase their value significantly if they could be 3B that are even below average, but passable defensively.

Given that Ramirez is a free agent after '14, not a young man, and the organizational depth at 3B is very slim, having utility players take grounders there certainly can't hurt.

FYI, the 3B prospect the Crew got for KRod, Nick Delmonico, has not yet reported due to "personal reasons"...usually a code for not being able to play, but also not being injured. In the past, you may recall Zach Braddock and Jeremy Jeffress missing time with this, so it is often used as a succinct explanation for a drug issue or a mental ailment. Just guessing, of course, as it could be a family illness or any number of things.

Initial weekly Unemployment Insurance claims for the first 12 weeks of 2014 dropped to the lowest point since 2000.--Governor Walker
It's working.

Even with the dumpster fire of the Obama economic plan (or lack thereof), WI has avoided the horrendous decline that has hit both MI and IL...who just happen to be far left, tax and spend, pay for it later states.

When you have to win six games in a row, it always helps to get lucky. I'm sure the Badgers were well prepared defensively, but Baylor missed double digit open 3's, most of them completely uncontested. Toward the end, when Baylor took a 3, I just smiled, because they seemingly never hit them all night. Officially 2-15...again, if they hit 40%, that's a dozen extra points, and the game is at least contested at the end.

Key to game no one will discuss...so far, Baylor has missed four wide open, no one within 5-10 feet of them 3's. I may not agree with Dan Dakitch on much, but he calls that "a layup in today's game" for a reason...most guys hit 67-75% of them, at the line, wide open.

He's 31 now, and has been good since he was 23. However, expecting him to be good at 40 is ridiculous...heck, expecting him to be as productive at 35 is silly. By comparison, Braun is a year younger, and has 8y/$117M remaining on his contract, which looks like some sort of Warren Buffett type "how the heck did he do that?" steal.

Braun--.374/.564, 938 OPS
Miggy--.399/.568, 967 OPS

Give Miguel bonus points for playing 3B at a below average clip, but that ain't worth $200M. You never know for sure, of course, but Cabrera seems unlikely to age gracefully, as he may well be limited to 1B/DH soon.

It costs $1 billion to get a new drug approved by the FDA, and can take up to 15 years.--John Stossel

Note to socialists...this is why your drugs are not free. Know what else? If you depend on the government to come up with medicine to save your life; I'd keep in mind they lose $60M a day delivering the freaking mail.

Lots of luck with that.

The irony is, of course, the FDA does not worry about people dying, or incredibly ill, or whatever, that will gladly take a "unapproved" pill because it shows promise or might extend their life. Mexico's process is far cheaper and takes far less time...and guess where drugs cost less and sends folks running across the border?

When your options are death or not death, bureaucracy is especially difficult to give a damn about. Of course, for many of us trying to actually fix the problem, that day is everyday.

Twins really abandoning the "no scholarships" and "spring training
matters" stuff, both of which they've stressed as important in the past.--Gleeman

Roenicke basically came out and said spring training was a waste of time and he had his 25 man roster chosen before it ever started. Apparently, the Twins did not pay attention to the stats either. It's such a tiny sample, it is meaningless, but that doesn't stop teams from using them, at least for the final couple roster spots.
Also odd to hear Ron say Thornburg earned his spot last year, and even though it may be better for him to start every 5th day and the like, they're taking him north because he deserves it.

Hey, I didn't vote for him. Mary Burke admitted she lied about unemployment, and said she didn't regret it. Some people are so evil and agenda driven, you just have to hold your kids close to you and hope they don't attack.

I don't think there's ever been a group of human beings more in over their head in the history of time. I often think back to that scene in Apollo 13, when the nerds on the ground had to make a CO2 filter out of the stuff they had on the table. I can only imagine the blame game, spectacular failure, and Hillary shouting, "What difference does it make?" after the astronauts perished.

The left are nothing if not hypocrites. It's easy when you don't believe in anything.

When you can justify pouring beer on those who have opposing political views, vandalizing the capitol, and falsely calling in sick (while depriving many kids of their only hot meal of the day*); you can pretty much justify any lies and ridiculous behavior.

Hence, the Obama presidency.

*Ironic, ain't it? Mrs. Obama rejoiced however...it would have made them fat anyway.

The irony here is, she isn't really good at anything other than hosting a talk show. Unless you want help on how to do that, or advice on how to be an attention whore, she ain't going to help you a bit.

So sad to see those who were once successful fail to enjoy their relaxation years.

Can't overstate the impression Mitch Haniger made on Brewers coaches this spring. Probably headed to Double-A to begin the year.--Adam, MLB.com

Reminds me of Scooter's rise to prominence after his solid AFL. Haniger is probably an untouchable and a projected starter in 2016 on the big board in Doug's office. He projects as an above average everyday player, and none of the "experts" act like they ever heard of him.

Don't forget, last year, the Crew was a bottom five farm system, graduated Scooter and Khris Davis, who had outstanding debuts, as well as Thornburg and Gindl, who were solid...and they are a bottom five farm system this year...even though they have five true prospects in the Nashville rotation.

Rickie is sunk cost, and has a place on the roster, because Scooter has never hit LHP, though he is young enough to learn that skill. There's no reason to give Rickie away and pay all his salary, as I would assume he is very likely to outperform Herrera.

EDIT: I just remembered Prince is in TEX now. His input aside, Prince and Rickie on the right side of the infield can't be looked at favorably.

I was literally doing perfectly, 25, no debt, had $10-15K in mutual funds. Then one day, the Rambling wife and I began dating...then, we moved in together, and suddenly, she had an unpaid internship for a year, and for four months, we had to pay two rents.

Never look back, and I certainly would not trade her for money for retirement. That said, if you believe in retiring young, avoid a serious relationship until you and your partner are set in your careers.

I just heard a few days ago that Andrew Bogut is shooting 32% from the line this year. He's a guy that was the first pick in the draft because he was a defensive presence in the middle and scored 15 points a game, mainly hitting 12-15 foot jumpers. Not sure if it's related to his injury or what, but it does keep him from playing late in games.

I have no idea how long Bo wants to keep coaching, though in my opinion:

1. I doubt he'll go more than 2-3 more years, though I hope I am incorrect.

2. He wants his long time loyal assistant, Greg Gard, to take over.

I do not know how this will play out, but I do know that very few coaches, regardless of their coaching resume, get their first head coaching job in the upper echelon conferences, like the Big Ten or ACC.

Those in the know say Shaka Smart and Marquette have reached an agreement.

I will include this email I received tonight.

Al,My brother went to college in southern CA and got a job out there. After a couple decades, he moved back home to the suburbs of Madison, taking a pay cut from about $150K to $38K. He is now engaged to a high school classmate and they just announced they are each expecting their first child. He told me over the weekend he sometimes cries as he's driving home, as he's never been so happy. Never underestimate the power of home.

MR

Smart is taking a job that is a lateral (or worse) move, in my opinion, but who cares? I hope he enjoys returning home.

Shaka Smart and Marquette are being mentioned as a pairing, though it still makes little sense to me why such a hot property like Smart would be interested in a Big East team...maybe the lure to WI is greater than I think.

I took a few minutes and looked at Overbay's splits the past 2-3 seasons, and may have been a little harsh when I said he "had not produced at all," or something like that. He has been very passable versus RHP's, though he has almost been as bad versus southpaws as Francisco. He certainly will not start more than a game or two when a LHP is on the mound, but will face some off the bench, of course. I'll go into more detail later.

Nothing I despise more than the cameras showing little kids crying after their teams lose. The directors should be ashamed, and it also takes away from what those teams accomplished...there are about 350 D1 basketball teams, and if you're in the round of 32, that's a nice accomplishment. Kansas is not a #2 seed without Joel Emblid.

Badgers won't know who they play until about 9PM tomorrow night, when the Baylor/Creighton game is done. I'm sure the assistants will spend all day tomorrow putting together game plans and tape of both squads together, and then be ready Monday to tell the team what they do.

Francisco DFA'd, Figaro sent down, so unless they claim someone, Overbay and Reynolds will be at 1B to open the season, and the final two bullpen spots are likely between Thornburg, Wooten, and Duke.

I would have kept Juan, as he is by far likely to be an offensive force. I have to wonder if they just were not fond of him, be it his attitude, demeanor, or ability to fit in. By going with Lyle, who hasn't produced at the plate in years, they went with a guy who is solid with the glove at the #1 offensive position, and who is far from young.

EDIT: Juan's locker has been cleaned out, but no official announcement on him, as the Crew may well have teams that like his power and are looking for a LH 1B/3B/DH option.

Overbay's grasp on that spot is tenuous, as better, far higher ceiling 1B will become available in the next week. Unless they just feel he'll fit in nicely and are OK keeping him as a defensive replacement and LH PH, no doubt, Lyle should just rent, not buy.

Oregon hitting everything 30 feet and in, refs, after calling fouls all night on anything, let Dekker get punched in the face with no call. Then, make their mistake worse by calling no one in particular for a technical foul. Embarrassingly inept.

No one wants to see a bunch of ticky tack touch fouls, all they want to do is make sure no one gets manhandled...these guys missed on both counts. Almost every year, the Badgers end up losing to a hot shooting team in a tightly called game. This is just a perfect example of that, at the half.

Talk about being too close to see the truth...the ACC is a vastly better conference than the new Big East, and, unless you are from the upper Midwest, Milwaukee is just a generic city.

If they can't figure out why Williams left, they're going to be shocked at how hard it is to find the next guy. If Wardle wants it, he should be named the next coach on Monday, as soon as the background check is done. As an alumni, it's probably close to his dream job, while to everyone else, it's a stepping stone.

And why is the government not reimbursed. Otherwise, the next one might bring the whole gosh darn extended family, like the Darlings, who, of course, lived in rural Mayberry, just past the Robert E. Lee Natural Bridge*.

UW-Green Bay coach Brian Wardle,
a former standout player at Marquette, and North Dakota State's Saul
Phillips, a former assistant to Bo Ryan at UW-Milwaukee and Wisconsin,
would also be considered candidates.--JS

Ben Howland, who coached at UCLA and also has state connections, is also said to be very interested. Marquette, while not a top sought after job, has plenty of clout and will be able to attract a fine candidate.

Remember, it was never about health insurance, or helping a few folks, or anything but power. If they had said they were going to take over cable and satellite TV, the public would have cried socialism and unnecessary government intervention. But, under the guise of a minute few "uninsurables," they took over the entire market. They saw that the house had a broken window, so they tore it down...because just fixing the window would have been unfair and unliberal.

And guess what? With the government involved, prices have skyrocketed,taxes are higher, and the deficit is way, way up; much to the chagrin of rubes who do not understand profit, the free market, and having skin in the game.

Oh, and by the way, not only are premiums up, but coverage is worse, and fewer people are insured than were before. If you'll remember, I warned you. It's not my fault you don't believe in math.

Brewers have to tell Overbay tomorrow whether he has made the 25 man roster.

That will answer the one question that has kind of hung over all of camp. That, Wang, and the reserve SS battle has pretty much taken up about 90% of the conversation on which has been a delightfully boring, almost injury free month in Maryvale.

Don't forget, they insisted they were going to cover everyone for the same amount of money. My question? Did they lie, or are they really that incompetent? Because, I don't want them representing me regardless of the answer.

That's the way it was when I was in high school too. They pushed me to take calculus, physics, two different English writing classes, sociology, and psychology my senior year, and proudly told me that with my ACT score, I could gfo to any college in the state.

That said, I hated most every minute, and knew I was going to go to the community college in my hometown my first two years regardless. I should have told them to go to hell and I'll take what I want. Heaven forbid, I might have learned something that...wait for it...I could have actually used.

A $2.3 million wind turbine at a Veterans Affairs clinic has been broken
for over a year with no plans to fix it. Where’d the funding for this
broken turbine come from? Obama’s stimulus project of course. What a
disaster!--For America

We are in the very best of hands. Hard to believe the stimulus didn't solve joblessness with those great minds behind it.

Over the last 29:17 of the game,Badgers outscored American 65-18. During that time, Eagles shot 5-27 (.185) & had 13 turnovers.

American must be wondering what hit them, but after the fist couple 3's went in, none did after that. They seemed to focus all but solely on trying to go inside and pick up fouls...rather than, you know, scoring points.

Hard to believe I was concerned that American appeared to be playing "Northwestern defense" early in the game...just leave the 3 point line uncovered and hope they miss...it worked for the first 10-12 minutes.

Left leaning independent here, though I admit, it's tough to deny Walker's success, because I do believe in math. I often disagree with your beliefs, but I would hate to debate you on them. Enjoy your efforts, and allow me to write to you for the first time. Writing to mention the pick ups at the airport post. Every year, we pick up my in laws, take them to the airport, and months later, we pick them up and take them home. Al, we live in the Fox Valley, they live just outside Racine. I'm not sure what a car would cost them for a pair of one way trips, but considering for us, it's a 300 mile round trip and often involves an overnight stay, I have often bit my tongue wondering why this is considered the solution. Look, it's not so much the money, though in gas alone, I'm figuring $62, but when we took them to their flight in early January, it was Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening (their flight was delayed, and my wife insisted we stay because "What if they have to go home and come back tomorrow?" Never mind, we both had to work Monday morning.

I've seen them spend $500 on dinner at a steakhouse with the extended family, and they are very financially comfortable. A ride from Racine to the airport can't be that much, though far from $5-10. Your point though is an excellent one...if spending $600 to fly, what's the problem with spending $100 on a car to get you there? Regards, Thomas

Thank you for the thoughts and kind words, sir. I just googled it, it's $113 for a limo ride from Racine to the airport, assuming you mean Milwaukee. Your time and weekend is worth that, or at least, it should be.

I heard an awful lot about Nate Silver's new 538 site last week, mostly self promotion, but have not seen a single link from anyone in my massive Twitter feed now that it exists, which can only be bad for the site.

At Junior Bridgeman's Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, customers build their own 11-inch pizzas for about $7 using more than 40 sauces, vegetables, cheeses and meats. The pizza is then cooked and ready to eat in two to three minutes, according to the release.--Milwaukee Biz Journal

I'm offended they stole Kramer's and Poppie's idea...no wonder he pees on the sofa...

Wang has been so impressive, even if he were let go by the Brewers, would almost certainly be claimed by multiple clubs. This might bode well for the Crew, as PIT is surely aware of this and may be willing to make a deal allowing him to go down.

Funny thing is, Wang would probably be assigned to Brevard County if he could be. As is, he's thrown strikes, and should hopefully be good enough to be passable eating up low leverage innings, but as we all know, eventually, due to fatigue, injuries, and so on, he'll be forced into a tie game in extra innings, or be asked to pitch the 6th and/or 7th ahead 3-2. That's the way it always happens.

People wondering where to park for the Badgers session at the Bradley Center, which, of course, is downtown Milwaukee on a workday....park at a large big box retailer a few miles away, call a taxi, get dropped off within a block of the entry.

According to this link, the closest Target to downtown Milwaukee would be $23 each way. I think I paid about $15 to park when I went to a sales conference on a generic weekday, and I assume rates will be far higher tomorrow. Besides, convenience matters...who wants to start and end your day by walking a couple miles, and probably still paying $10-20.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the simple phrase, "I have to pick up someone at the airport." Why?

1. No you don't. You chose to do so. Maybe to be nice, maybe because you want to be helpful, but you do not "have to."

2. I don't get it. I parked at the MSP airport several times when I was training for the toy store. I did get reimbursed, but, it was only $12-15 a day, though granted, that was almost twenty years ago. Even if it's $20-30 a day, quit being so damn cheap...if you're gone a week on vacation, how much did you pay for those airline tickets and hotel? $500? $750? And if parking of $140-210 is "too much," then take a $50 cab ride. Quit bothering your friends that have not been on vacation.

3. Of course, this is why I've been called antisocial. That said, my time is far more valuable to me than your paltry outlay for a cab.

Harvard and Yale have so much in their endowment funds, they could waive tuition for decades. By making it free, I think many would be far more likely to give later. Government shouldn't have any part of it though, but Bill Gates could start or buy an existing private school and give it a try.

That's why the desperate attacks on Ryan, Christie, and the like. Obama has proven you can win by looking straight into the camera and lying, without a tinge of guilt.

Look at Burke's first ad...a complete untruth, with some ridiculous filler showing her wearing goggles, talking to a manufacturers, trying to hide the fact she despises them and their capitalist agenda.

This is what I mean about Halton...HOU wants a 1B to delay their youngster's debut. The kid is a lefty hitter, so Sean could have filled in for now, and then protected him versus tough LHP and filled in as an OF reserve and PH. And, while his ceiling is not high, he certainly could put up a 800 OPS.

Cut to thousands of Badgers' fans asking if they get TRUtv, followed by what channel TRUtv is.

Sadly, I have not watched it since last year's tourney, but I know full well it's on 651 on Charter. We didn't used to get it in HD, but sometime between last year and this, I recall seeing it on the guide.

Great to see Bruce Pearl back in coaching at Auburn. He had great success at UW-Milwaukee and at Tennessee, and was let go because of a NCAA violation that can only be described as ridiculous, now Ohio State senior Aaron Craft was invited to a cookout at Pearl's home when Craft was a recruit.

Seriously. What should have been a "don't do that again" somehow turned into a big deal because, supposedly, Pearl knew it was a violation, and ignored the NCAA's rules of silliness.

Kareem said on CNBC earlier that he is trying to get involved in a Bucks' ownership group that will buy the team from Herb Kohl.

I just read today that the Racine Journal Times is reporting Kohl has ignored overtures from at least two well heeled, actual cash on the table offers because they have been open and honest that they intend to buy the team to relocate them, one presumably being Seattle, the other rumored to be a city in the Midwest with an NBA ready arena...thought to be Louisville or Kansas City (and yes, it is funny those cities have beautiful new arenas, and Milwaukee does not, but hence, I digress).

When I ran the party store in the Twin Cities, one of my staff got a job at either Hollister or A&F. She told me it was difficult being on her feet all the time, but she told other associates she was told her job was to "flirt with the boys, talk to the girls, and fold shirts."

And yes, she was a 9 or a 10. I can still recall outfits in which I could honestly grade her at an 11.

Some folks unhappy I suggested Dems couldn't find Ukraine on a map. Gwen Moore voted completely opposite on two votes days apart. I don't think she understands what she was even voting on, and if she does, she is clueless.

Bianchi is now 5-5 in stolen bases, and is almost certainly a better defender at 2B/SS/3B than Herrera. Elian runs faster and switch hits, and can also play the OF, while Falu may be a better defensive 2B, but is not very much of an OF.

I have to believe Bianchi makes the team and the Crew sends the others down to play SS a couple times a week. In the battle for backup SS and backup C, defense counts.

Of course, at the end of the day, she has no clue, as her lunch rules emphasize low fat, low protein, high carb, low calorie concoctions that most trainers and the like feel went out of style 2-3 decades ago. Of course, given their war on poverty is fifty years old and has been a complete failure, while costing taxpayers $5T, this is what is to be expected.

To me in the battle of 1B, I might well just go with Francisco and Halton, unless someone is released at the end of the spring.

Juan has by far the highest ceiling, and also had the best season in '13. I'll root for whoever ends up there, and I would guess that, if a better option comes along at the deadline (or even Morales, after the June draft), and they are in the race, they will not hesitate to upgrade.

Tom seems to just make up the fact Reynolds is in front, but it is interesting to hear Roenicke say they could keep a pair of 1B and a pair of 2B, which I have suggested all along may lead them to only carrying four OF's...a fact that goes over the head of almost every casual on the message boards.

If I'm ever diagnosed with a terminal illness, and given six months to live, I'm going to write all my business with a certain company, who from one day to the next, changes requirements on a whim, and when those are fixed, sends you a list of seven more that have to be taken care of.

Two weeks ago, I was told to do some training online (it isn't even training, you just click "yes" on every slide, and then check a box at the end, the Rambling dog could do it if his paws weren't so big, and he could keep his eyes open long enough to get through such mindless drivel) before they could take care of my business. I could not do it, because I did it two years ago. After going back and forth for a few days, they finally told me to disregard it. Since then, I sent in new stuff, mailed in the original of another, and patted my head while rubbing my stomach. Today, they told me I needed about 6-7 things. Disgustedly, I told them this was insane, that for every thing I fix, they then send me 3 more things that need to be done. I was driving the Rambling son home, so I told them to email me all the requirements. They said they would "try" to get to it today (you know, break time and the tourney brackets are a calling).

I just got the email. It says that despite being told an hour ago they were missing several items, they have now determined I only need to go online...and complete...the same training they told me to disregard weeks ago, because I cannot do it...because I did it before. I wrote back asking what happened to the other six things, and that I cannot do that training online. They said, after studying everything, they now only need that training done...ignoring that I cannot do said training.

I have to agree...in five years, I fully expect the Cubs to be in the middle of a 5-7 year success cycle. I'm not scared at all of the Pirates or Cards or Reds, as they were quality clubs last year who were healthy, but none are as loaded and deep as I expect the Cubs to be. Theo and Jed found a perfect situation, a club with huge money that has been laughingly mismanaged for a decade. That can't be fixed in a day.

The worst part is how fans and the media have picked on Castro and the 1B whose name escapes me at this second. It's just like the NBA teams that draft a guy at 21, watch him struggle at 23, give up on him at 25, and watch him be an all star elsewhere at 27. Every team in baseball wants guys like that, even with the warts of youth.

I have not commented on Hank the dog, but it is nice to see the Brewers partnering with the Humane Society and, hopefully, using this as a way of encouraging people who want a dog to go the shelter route; rather than the puppy farm/respected breeder one, which we all know is the same thing, and a shortsighted, pathetic decision.

Of course, the difference between myself and a nanny state liberal is simple...I am a free market guy, and if another person chooses to make a bad decision, I don't try and legislate it away while proudly telling others of my moral superiority, however fictional.

Roenicke confirms only two of the Reynolds/Francisco/Overbay trio will make the 25 man roster. And while everyone knows spring stats are meaningless, one can't help but notice Lyle and Mark have sub 600 OPS's, while Juan's is over 1000. Heck, Halton could make a case, as he can play LF and RF as well as 1B...especially if they decide to go with only four true OF's.

I could imagine several teams taking a flyer on Guerra, including the Crew, who may want to bring him in and see if his velocity is still there. All their relievers on the fringe have options, though Wang can't go down and Duke has an opt out.

Most of the trade speculation centers around Mike Carp, who doubles as a
first baseman and triples as a third baseman. There’s always speculation
about Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, teams that might want to upgrade at
first base.--Boston Globe

Carp has never played 3B in the majors, and has only played a dozen games there in the minors. He's also barely played any OF spot except LF, making him a poor match with Khris Davis on the roster. He's a LH hitting 1B who can be put in LF if needed.

Badgers get American U in the first game, and hopefully, the Oregon/BYU winner in the second. American plays a three guard lineup and none of their big men average over twenty minutes a game. I would expect foul trouble.

People think the military spends all of its time and money trying to develop better bullets and bombs.

They forget, someone has to shoot those bullets and drop those bombs. I just read a couple days ago that dehydrated foods, commonly used in the civilian world in camping and survival foods, are far tastier now than in the past...almost solely based on work done by military labs.

Caffeine is by far the widely used drug in the world, used almost exclusively by people who pretend to be exhausted from their life of rest, relaxation, double lattes, and fictional drama. Luckily, it has its merits, especially if given to the good guys before they destroy evil.

So last night, I went to bed per usual. The Rambling dog jumped up on his chair/bed and after kicking and moving his blanket around per usual, he settled in, as did I. After five, ten, and fifteen minutes I was having trouble falling asleep...the Rambling dog kept bothering me with a barely audible whistle or whine...I was unsure if he was bothered by something, or maybe it was just how he was breathing, like through his nose.

Finally, I decided I would get up and see if I could adjust his head or something, and see if he acted OK. So, I go over to his chair, touch his head, and he jerks up and looks at me, and of course, starts smelling around to see if I gave him a treat. It was then I noticed the whistle was still there...and coming from the Rambling wife.

I went back to bed, and as I did, she adjusted herself a bit...end of noise. It's exhausting being me.

The Rambling son and I had a bachelor day today, as the Rambling wife spent the day at a quilt camp. I took my weekly day off from my low carb menu, and enjoyed the McDonald's two fish filet deal for supper. I asked the Rambling son what he would like, and after thinking about it, he chose two McChicken sandwiches, sans the mayo and lettuce, of course. I asked if he wanted any fries, pies, or ice cream; and he said "Nope."

What if Putin is behind the hijacking and he is planning to load a
commercial looking flight with nuclear weapons to Washington DC?? What
if?--Frank Kasella

While we are likely being paranoid, let's not forget, out military gets paid to be paranoid...they work on these "what if" scenarios 24/7/365 in special forces training, infantry mock battles, and war college.

After Clinton began gutting the armed forces, taking them from an active force of 2.4M down to the 1.5M range; one wishes we had an administration that didn't look to spend foolishly everywhere else but sharpen the knife when it came to defending our borders and our interests.

Never forget, five years after Sarah Palin predicted Putin would invade Ukraine, White House staffers defended their slow response by saying, "No one could have saw this coming."

Not very impressed with Diamond Stone, especially since many are saying he's a "one and done" guy. Very heavy feet, very slow to move side to side. Struggling versus a kid who looks like me in a basketball uniform...what would he do versus a big athlete?

In talking with manager Ron Roenicke, we have ID'd four AAA Nashville starting pitchers: Hellweg, Nelson, Fiers, Burgos.--JS
Heh. Those four were ID'd months ago. Only real question is, barring injury, if Thornburg will join them, or if he will be used in the bullpen. Might depend on Wang and other factors.

All sorts of Brewers notes, including great lines from Mark A, likening teams giving up draft picks to giving up their first born.

The irony about that is, of course, very few top draft picks make it, especially beyond the top fifteen or so players taken in each draft. Years ago, many fans complained how Tony Gwynn Jr. "was a bust," so I mentioned he was a huge success for a 2nd round draft pick. Many said that after looking at lists of 2nd round picks, it turned out I was 100% correct...many did not even make it to AAA or the majors, and of those that did, half were just for "a cup of coffee"...a week or two to cover for an injury, a September opportunity, and so on.

Some reports of Richard Pitino yelling at the Badgers on the floor and/or the coaches as they continued to shoot the ball up 25 or so early in the shot clock with a couple minutes or so left.

I saw Bo talk to him for a bit after the game and thought he may well have been apologizing for the shots, but I've never heard of a coach at that level caring at all about such things. I despise running up the score, and shake my head whenever I see a score like 72-11 at the high school level. That said, in a game with a shot clock, I don't care if the winning team shoots with 5 or 30 seconds remaining.

3/14/2014 11:02:00 PM

These are the good old days. Some folks are just too busy wishing the streets were paved with gold to enjoy the good times.

Whatever strikes me as
interesting, and serious Milwaukee Brewers thoughts. If you are a believer
in respecting OBP, throwing strikes, and keeping the ball in the park,
you may have found the place you've been searching for. I believe in low taxes, small government, and am not afraid to be labeled patriotic. If you are interested in sausage race results, walk up music, or professional wrestling, you may wish to click elsewhere.

I'm happy to pay taxes to help the helpless. I don't like paying taxes to help the clueless. Look at the Occupy movement...I'm forced to pay taxes to help those whose plight I delight in.--Dennis Miller

If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, and your life will be brief.--President Trump

Never have lives less lived been more chronicled.--Dennis Miller

I’m going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.--Mad Dog Mattis

I have never understood why it is "greed" to want to keep the money you have earned but not greed to want to take somebody else's money.--Thomas Sowell